NF
Serving

Natalie Figueroa

State SenateDemocrat

NM-SD-18 State Senate

Hispanic·Previously served in NM House (HD-30, 2019-2024) before moving to State Senate

About

Natalie Figueroa is a New Mexico State Senator representing District 18, elected in 2024. The daughter and granddaughter of teachers with a deep love of the Spanish language, she served as a Spanish teacher and Fulbright-Hays Scholar. She earned her bachelor's from Stanford and graduate degree from UCLA.

Family & Heritage

Hispana from Albuquerque. The daughter and granddaughter of teachers. Married to Rafael Figueroa, Dean of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy, for over 32 years.

Political Career

Before Politics

Spanish language teacher at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque (2007-present); previously taught at Bosque School and Glastonbury High School in Connecticut; President of Southwest Conference on Language Teaching

Education

A.B. in Spanish with Distinction, Stanford University, 1989; M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, UCLA, 1990; Fulbright-Hays Scholar, 1999

Key Issues & Priorities

*Public education, Spanish language education, teacher support and retention, culturally relevant curriculum, education funding, community service